{
  "id": 4030225,
  "title": "Will my father's will hold up? Ask Susan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/will-my-fathers-will-hold-up-ask-susan",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-28T20:20:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Business",
    "slug": "rnz-business",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/personal-finance/1168726/will-my-father-s-will-hold-up-ask-susan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Your father created a handwritten will, witnessed by two individuals who have since passed away. He has designated you as his executor and intends for you to manage his estate following his death. The estate is relatively small, with only $40,000 in assets and a few personal belongings. You are the primary caregiver for your father, dedicating time to his needs while working full-time. While your father believes the handwritten will will suffice for the estate, you have concerns about the complexity and expense of the process when he passes away.",
  "summary": "RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers your questions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Father's handwritten will lacks legal formalities",
    "Executor role uncertain due to witnesses' passing",
    "$40,000 estate poses challenges for probate process"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}